My look

[Sir Nate]

Although my armor will not change much, I don't know if I should keep the templar look forever. It seems many members make there own surcoats and shields. a shield is one thing, but how do you go about making your surcoats. what do they represent? were can I go to get a really nice templar surcoat.
My templar surcoat is dirty, the cross is ruined, and it is a horrible fit. If anyone can tell me how they go about with the inspirations of there designs and how they make them I would again as always, be grateful.

[Sir Ulrich]

Mine was inspired by a family symbol in my house, I used the sun because of that. Plus I like the look of sun faces, they're rather interesting looking. The cross is similar to the "red baron's" plane which was not intentional but the white border that Ed helped modify made it look as such, it's supposed to symbolize he's a crusader but it has this rather Teutonic look like you'd see on crusader knights. Red and black are my heraldic colors which I think are badass looking together. I made the sun gold/yellow and the border around the cross silver/white to correspond with the rules of heraldry. I quartered it to look better even though this was rare in the 13th century.

[Sir Douglas]

I modified my surcoat from a pattern of a costume surcoat I picked up at Jo-Ann Fabrics. The neck opening from the original pattern was way too small so I had to enlarge it, but otherwise it's a nice fit. Depending on the style, they can be fairly easy to make if you know a little bit about sewing.

As far as the design of it, I chose an eagle because they were very common in German heraldry (much like the lion is often found in English heraldry), and I'm part German from my father's side. Other than that, I just chose colors that struck my fancy. Eventually, I may make another in the style of either the Hospitallers or the Teutonic knights.

If you're looking to get into designing your own coat of arms, there is virtually an unlimited amount of combinations you can make once you get the basic rules down.

[Sir Nate]

yes but how do you make the symbols. And what would you recommend in sowing the fabrics. How do you  make the desighn, cut them out?

[Ian]

Here's a pattern developed by Tasha Kelly.  She does some of the finest work in the reproduction of historic garments this side of the Middle Ages.  Here's her take on the early 14th century surcoat with good instructions.  Just a disclaimer about my advice.  My primary interest is in accurate Living History portrayals.  So I'm always going to try and point you toward the most historically accurate option or impression for a given piece of kit, unless that's not something you're interested in.

http://cottesimple.com/tutorials/early-14thc-surcotte/

[Lord Dane]

Although my armor will not change much, I don't know if I should keep the templar look forever. It seems many members make there own surcoats and shields. a shield is one thing, but how do you go about making your surcoats. what do they represent? were can I go to get a really nice templar surcoat.
My templar surcoat is dirty, the cross is ruined, and it is a horrible fit. If anyone can tell me how they go about with the inspirations of there designs and how they make them I would again as always, be grateful.

Your surcoat should reflect your family name (i.e. heritage/heraldry) or yourself personally in some fashion. Every design is different but made to fit a format that is symbollic as well as authentic by a historical standpoint. Once you know what you want, we can help you in a design idea. All of us are knowledgeable here & you should make use of the resources to find what makes your 'heraldry' unique to you. Colors, designs, symbols, etc. all follow a pattern and have meaning that defines them in 'heraldry'.

[Sir Edward]

Part of the good news with surcoats is that they don't have to match your shield/heraldry. They can, but don't have to. You can work all, or just some elements into it, rearrange the charges, or whatever. It's all cool, from a historical standpoint.

But something you might want to consider is whether you want to create your own heraldry, and whether or not you want to design a surcoat to that. Another idea is to go with the templar motif, and then work the cross into heraldry later. Or not, it's all up to you.

The charges can be done in a variety of ways, from appliques (sewing on a cut-out piece of fabric in the right shape), to embroidery, to painting it on with fabric paints and a stencil. The one in my avatar image currently has the charges done with appliques, and a "button-hole" sort of thick stitch all the way around. I had that one custom made for me by Jess Finley at Fuhlen Designs. A better view of it (photos are clicky or bigger view):

 

My previous surcoats were all made by my own hand. The large "ankh" charge on this one is an applique too, but with a simple line-stitch (with the fabric folded in at the edge) all the way around:

   

I didn't use an actual pattern for mine, but rather eyeballed it. The important things to remember when making a surcoat, IMHO:

1. It should come in at the shoulders, rather than just be a rectangle with arm-holes, otherwise the shoulders stick out way too far.

2. It needs to flare out at the bottom. That is, the "skirt" section needs to widen toward the bottom, like an actual skirt. If it doesn't do this, and is just a rectangle, it will look ridiculously too tight around the legs. The ones I made for myself have a subtle widening here, but the one made by Jess is a huge skirt.

[Sir Nate]

Alright thanks guys, this really will help me. And I have decided on my heraldy, something from my early childhood. ill make it over the next few months, with help from my parents.

[Sir Nate]

there is also now a really nice crusader surcoat on medievalcollectibles.com for $72 and its original price was $82. Ill get that for now.

[Sir James A]

The wonderful thing about surcoats is you don't have to have just one. Keep the templar one. Get a heraldic one done. Add a teutonic one. Or a hospitaler. Or an alternate heraldic one. Or all of the above.

[Sir Nate]

Think ill get a new templar one. then start getting other surcoats.

[Timothy]

Hello

I noticed that some, maybe most, make their own surcoats.  I need one made so who would you recommend. It would have my family arms on it.

Thanks

Tim

[Sir Edward]

We know of several folks who will do them. I had one made by Jess at Fuhlen Designs:

http://fuhlendesigns.com/

(incidentally, it's the one in my avatar photo, plus she made the gambeson that I'm wearing under the mail in that photo). A little repeat of info several posts back.

[Timothy]

We know of several folks who will do them. I had one made by Jess at Fuhlen Designs:

http://fuhlendesigns.com/

(incidentally, it's the one in my avatar photo, plus she made the gambeson that I'm wearing under the mail in that photo). A little repeat of info several posts back.

Thank you Sir Edward

[Sir James A]

Sir Nathan and I have surcoats by "BJ", who is local to us. Sir Nathan has some fancier ones, the one I have is a basic Templar one (BJ was recommended by Sir Nathan).

I also have a heraldic one. It is fancy, embroidered lions, grommetted sides for lacing it snug. It was also by a local seamstress, who made Sir Brian's surcoat (and came recommended by him).